First ever spaced based surveillance satellite launched

Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS)

A Minotaur IV rocket was scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex-8 at Vandenberg Air Force Base Sept. 25 at 9:41 p.m. PDT. The Minotaur IV will launch the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite, a first-of-its-kind satellite that can detect and track orbiting space objects, including potential threats to our space assets and orbital debris. This groundbreaking satellite is the first to track objects in space from space. The launch of the SBSS satellite continues a tradition of teaming between the 30th Space Wing and its launch customers. Existing tracking systems on the ground suffer distortion as they scan through the atmosphere. SBSS won't suffer the same disadvantage. In fact, orbit tracking capability is expected to be 10-times more accurate with this satellite.

With the great importance of space assets to the warfighter as a primary concern, in January 2001, the Rumsfeld Space Commission voiced great concern regarding the vulnerability of US space-based assets, and that a very real threat to these assets would eventually arise. The Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS) project is a new start effort in FY02 to acquire a constellation of satellites to conduct Space Situation Awareness (SSA) using visible sensors. A constellation of space-based space surveillance satellites will provide timely space situation awareness to meet future space control operations.

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Last Edited by Mr. Predictor on 09/26/2010 12:34 PM